The Code of Virginia provides that each county be governed by a board of supervisors, which is elected by the qualified voters. The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors is composed of seven members, one from each of the five magisterial districts, and two at-large members elected from the entire county. Supervisors are elected for four-year terms which are staggered at two-year intervals. The election of supervisors is held as a part of the November general election. At the first meeting of the year, the board conducts an organizational meeting and elects one of its members to serve as chairperson and another to serve as vice-chairperson.

Under Virginia law, all information, including e-mail, written letters, documents and phone messages, sent to the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors is subject to Freedom of Information Act law. This includes the sender's e-mail address, home address or phone number if shown in the message, the content of the message and any associated attachments to the mail.